Guest Post by Dave Cox
My wife Jennifer and I have served as GFUMC missionaries in Romania for the last 25 years. Just as I love my hometown of Gainesville, I have also grown to love our new hometown of Bucharest.
Sadly, as in the US, Romania has deep cultural divides, leading to anger and polarization. The government coalition has recently collapsed this month, just as we were hitting an all-time peak in Covid deaths. Divisive and hateful accusations abound from all sides. As a result, many people feel pervasive hopelessness.
The Bible was primarily written during moments of upheaval- whether oppression, exile, or persecution. Yet, amazingly, the chord that resounds throughout is the Good News of hope. God’s Word is brimming with hope. Yes, it acknowledges that this world is on a trajectory from bad to worse.
However, the Holy Spirit builds a kingdom in human hearts that brings transformation and love to the middle of the storm and moves us step by step closer to perfect union with Christ. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, joy floods into our lives. There is hope in Bucharest and Gainesville. And, isn’t that something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!
Hebrews 6:19 “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”
Dave Cox
Dave and Jen serve as missionaries in Romania